David Hernández de la Fuente, a writer and Greek philology professor, delves into the art of translation, specifically his work on the Spanish edition of Marcus Aurelius's Meditations. He shares insights on the significance of making ancient philosophies accessible, the challenges translators face, and the rediscovery of Stoicism's relevance today. The conversation also touches on the rich cultural context of figures like Seneca, highlighting how this timeless wisdom can illuminate modern lives and help navigate personal struggles.
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Discovering de la Fuente
Ryan Holiday was intrigued by David Hernández de la Fuente's positive perspective on Stoicism's resurgence.
He appreciated de la Fuente's view that popularization can spark deeper exploration.
insights INSIGHT
Stoicism's Renaissance
Some academics resent Stoicism's popularity, but not de la Fuente.
He sees it as a positive revival of ancient philosophy.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Early Spanish Stoicism
Antonio de Guevara wrote "The Golden Book by Marcus Aurelius" for Prince Philip II's education.
Though imaginative, Guevara's book wasn't accurate, but showed an interest in Marcus Aurelius as a model ruler.
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Meditations is a series of private writings composed by Marcus Aurelius, one of Rome's greatest emperors, as he struggled to understand himself and make sense of the universe. Written between 170 and 180 CE while on military campaigns, this work combines Stoic philosophy with personal observations on leadership, duty, mortality, and human nature. Through twelve books of intimate thoughts never intended for publication, Marcus Aurelius explores themes of self-improvement, resilience in the face of adversity, and living virtuously while accepting what cannot be changed.
Today, Ryan is joined by David Hernández de la Fuente, the translator behind the Spanish edition of Meditations by Marcus Aurelius. Together, they talk about the responsibility of a translator, Seneca’s legacy as a Spanish Stoic, sharing Marcus’ work with new audiences, and the renaissance of Stoicism.
David is a writer and professor of Greek philology at the University of Madrid. He brings a refreshingly positive perspective on Stoicism to the academic world, as he shares in the article: Stoicism is back: This is the ‘slave doctrine’ to understand today’s bosses and employees.
The Daily Stoic 